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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




OEMS 



BY 



{^ 



Rev. F. Sclireiber. 



Second enlarged edition. 



MILWAUKEE: 

Hoffmann Brothers. 



//2./, 






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Copyright, 1876, by Rev. Francis Schreiber. 



Copyright, 1888, by Rev. Francis Schreib er. 



To The Eminent Divine, 
The Most Venerable Archbishop 

OF 

ST, LOUIS, 

PETER RICHARD KENRICK, 
Most Humbly Dedicated. 



THE REALMS OF SONG. 

I praise the land, where in melodious 
songs 
The love of God from ardent hearts 
• pours forth, 
And in the depth of mind religion longs 

To fill immortal souls with thoughts 
more worth 
Than all the transient treasures of this 
earth. 
Inconstant as the sunshine of the North. 



True piety reflects in holy mirth, 

Refreshing man on life's precarious stage; 
It modifies ambition, shields the hearth. 

Will science make of man a trusty sage? 

It is the truth of God in which we place 
Our hope and confidence in every age. 

O, let us build a temple of sweet lays 
Vibrating in true wisdom's wondrous 
light, 
Descending from above in golden rays ! 

Behold the springs of truth, the charming 
night 
With mystic stars, the god-like harmony 
In virgin-music and the chime's delight ! 



What brilliant gems adorn in modesty 
The church, enrapturing the pensive 
soul 

In her emotions on to ecstasy ! 

This be the poet's joy and this his goal 



^eiK^ious #09^8. 



11 — 



CHRISTMAS HYMN. 



I. 

Long centuries of hope have passed, 
The promise is fulfilled at last; 
Behold the Prince of peace is born, 
To save mankind, no more forlorn. 

He whom adore the skies, 
The Lord, Emmanuel, 

In a crib as Infant lies, 
The Pride of Israel. 



— 12 — 



In splendor beams the starry light, 
The shepherds keep their watch at night, 
When suddenly bright Angels sway 
In sweet accord their joyful lay: 

Glory to God on high 

And peace on earth to men, 

Who breathe a grateful sigh 
In holy zeal again ! 



13 



CHRISTMAS HYMN. 



II. 



Sweet Jesus, humble chilclj 

Meek and mild, 

Give me a heart like Thine, 

So full of love. 

That I may once with Thee above 
In glory shine ! 



14 — 



Thy love makes life so bright 

With delight; 

The stable and the crib 

Admonish me, 

Of worldliness and vanity 
My soul to strip. 

A wisp of straw is spread 

For Thy bed; 

Yet in Thy smiles I see 

The happiness, 

Sweet innocence and love impress 
On Thee for me. 



15 



THANKSGIVING. 



O Jesus, my God and my Lord, 
How can I repay Thee Thy love ? 

By all my affections and word 
I never can thank Thee enough. 



I owe Thee my life and my soul 

For heaven by Thy death on the cross ; 

No hymn can duly extol 
The sympathy with all our loss. 



— 16 — 



Thy church is the token of love, 

Established for all that will cling- 
To Thee in Thy glory above, 

And gladly their hearts to Thee brin^ 

In warfare and combat and strife 
We look for the help of Thy grace ; 

Thou knowest the price of our life 
And offrest a crown for the race. 



17 



PRAYER. 



Direct, God, my tongue, that I may 
never 
Digress from truth nor stain my lips 
with words 
Which from Thy Heart my heaven-bound 
soul dissever! 
All nature worships Thee in grand ac- 
cords, 
The happy choirs of Angels sing forever 
Thy everlasting praises, Lord of lords; 
And should the anthems of my bosom's 

psalter 
Fail to ascend like incense from the altar? 



— 18 



Thou art the Truth. Thy heavenly revela- 
tion 
Surpasses all the sages' gorgeous lore; 
No change has ever marred, no alteration, 
The wisdom Thou hast brought us 
heretofore; 
It is the heart's delight, the recreation 
Of mind, when it inspects the wonder- 
ous store; 
And all this splendor Thou to man hast 

given, 
To guide him with Thy light from earth 
to heaven. 



19 — 



BEFORE COMMUNION. 



Jesus, come, O come to me, 

To take possession of my heart ! 

1 feel so lonesome without Thee, 

O come, O come and never part I 

What happiness, to harbor Thee, 
My God and Saviour in my breast ! 

In Thee is joy and liberty. 

In Thee I find my peace and rest. 



— 22 — 



Send to widows coal and wood, 
Let them keep their cabins warm! 

Clothe the orphans, give them food 
And repel from them all harm ! 

Open all thy servants' eyes 

To inquire where need does dwell! 
Bless the pious, bless the wise, 

All who wish poor sufferers well! 



23 



LOVE OF GOD. 



Could I ever love my God 

As He loves and blesses me, 
While on earth I long and plod 

For a bright eternity? 

Who gave me my Jife and soul? 

What I own His hands bestowed. 
How may I all grace extol 

Which from Heaven upon me flowed? 



— 24 



Lord, Thou art my hope and joy 
In this labyrmth of life; 

Save me from all sins alloy 
And refresh me in my strife ! 

"Blessed are the clean of heart," 
Thou hast said, let my soul 

From all vain allurements part 
And my passions all control ! 



9n — 



HYMN. 



Sing, my soul, 
And extol 

The unfathomed love of God, 
Who was pleased. 
In our midst 

To establish his abode ! 



26 



0, admire 
His desire 

Ever here with us to be ! 
Come, adore 
And implore 

Him for grace and sanctity ! 



TO THE B. V. MARY. 

TRIOLET. 

0, could I see thee with these mortal eyes 
In all thy charms, celestial bliss and 

light ! 
Thy image floats before my mind so 
bright, 
0, could I see thee with these mortal eyes ! 
My heart thrills with delight, all trouble 
dies, 
Transmuted into rapture at that sight. 
0, could I see thee with these mortal 
eyes 
In all thy charms, celestial bliss and light ! 



— 28 



HYMN TO THE B. V. MARY. 



O, Virgin Mother, Queen of Heaven, 
By all the thoughtful world admired, 

Thou hast by Christ to us been given, 
Before He on the cross expired ! 

Thou art the glory of all mothers, 
The model of all woman kind; 

What virtues we may praise in others, 
In Thee we find them all combined. 



— 29 — 



Obtain for us remorse and pardon, 
When sin has marred our purity, 

Lest we in our confusion harden 
And lose the crown of victory ! 



28 



HYMN TO THE B. V. MARY. 



O, Virgin Mother, Queen of Heaven, 
By all the thoughtful world admired, 

Thou hast by Christ to us been given. 
Before He on the cross expired ! 

Thou art the glory of all mothers, 
The model of all woman kind; 

What virtues we may praise in others, 
In Thee we find them all combined. 



29 



Obtain for us remorse and pardon, 
When sin has marred our purity, 

Lest we in our confusion harden 
And lose the crown of victory ! 



80 



THE HOLY FAMILY. 

My testament 
Be at my end: 

Jesus, Mary and Joseph ! 
When death calls me, 
My last words be: 

Jesus, Mary and Joseph ! 
In pangs and pam, 
When sorrows reign, 

Jesus, Mary and Joseph ! 
My heart imbue 
With love for you, 

Jesus, Mary and Joseph ! 



31 — 



When agony 

Oppresses me, 
Jesus, Mary and Joseph ! 

Come to condole 

My weary soul, 
Jesus, Mary and Joseph ! 

No time to waste 

To you I haste, 
Jesus, Mary and Joseph ! 

For your embrace 

Brings peace and grace, 
Jesus, Mary and Joseph ! 



Hear my request 
And grant me rest, 
Jesus, Mary and Joseph ! 



— 32 — 



When life is o'er, 
Lead me ashore, 

Jesus, Mar}^ and Joseph ! 
To that bright home, 
Where Angels come, 

Jesus, Mary and Joseph ! 
To meet the soul 
At her last goal, 

Jesus, Mary and Joseph ! 



— 33 — 



CRADLE SONG. 

I. 

Sleep, my darling, sleep ! 

Lo ! the Angels peep 

Through the sky, 

To descry. 

If thou with my wish comply. 

Since our Saviour's birth 

They are full of mirth, 

When a child, 

Undefiled, 

After them in truth is styled. 



— 34 — 



How they love to guard 

Their beloved ward 

From all taint 

And complaint 

By their succor and restraint ! 

Sleep, my darling, sleep, 

While the Angels peep 

From above 

At my love, 

Their regards for thee to prove ! 

Christ, too, was a child. 

O, how Mary smiled, 

When his arm 

Pressed her warm 

To his bosom fall of charm ! 



— 35 — 



Children were his choice. 

How they prized his voice, 

When, at rest, 

He them blessed 

At their mothers' kind request ! 

Children, he tells thee 

In his amity. 

Will enjoy 

Bliss and joy. 

Where they know no sad annoy. 

Sleep, my darling, sleep ! 

Would to God thou reap 

Thy full share 

Of due care 

By my ardent, sincere prayer ! 



36 — 



CRADLE SONG. 



II. 



When I rock thee in thy cradle, 
Many thoughts pass through my mind. 

Could I but thy future settle, 
Happy I myself would find. 

Life would seem to thee a meadow . 

Gay with flowers of sweet perfume; 
No affliction nor a shadow 

Of dismay would cloud thy doom. 



But alas ! who will dissever 

From the future its drear gloom? 
When will to the mother ever 
Her dear infant's fate once loom ? 



Ah ! this world abounds in perils 
From the cradle to the grave; 

Faith alone and sacred morals 
Keep by practice mortals safe. 



What contentment it would give me, 
If I knew how thou wilt fare ! 

If by death I'm forced to leave thee, 
Ah ! who will of thee take care? 



— 38 



Who will warn thee, who will guide thee, 

In the struggles of this life? 
May the angel stay beside thee, 

When thy foes thy fall contrive ! 



Bless, Lord, with thy sweet favors 
My dear child abundantly ! 

Life is charming, if it savors 
Of true peace and harmony. 



— 39 — 



CRADLE SONG. 



III. 



There is nothing on this earth 
I love more than thee, 

My sweet angel, since thy birth, 
In sincerity. 



When in sleep thy eyelids close 

On thy cosy bed, 
Many tears at thy repose 

For thy sake I shed. 



40 



O'er thee I my hands extend 

In my fervent plea 
For thy weal and happy end 

In eternity. 



41 — 



EXCELSIOR. 



Early at the dawn of morning, 
When the firmament, adorning 

Crrove and glen with crimson light, 
Woke me from my cosy slumber, 
Birds sang, while I felt so sombre, 

In my garden sweet and bright: 

Excelsior. 



42 



On my knees I sank adoring, 
Whilst my soul in silence soaring 

To the Eternal's vast domain, 
Heard with awe the Angels singing, 
And the brilliant mansions ringing 

With the music of the strain: 

Excelsior. 



0, this word resounds forever 
In my ear and woos to sever 

From the world my aching heart. 
Higher I must climb, still higher, 
Til the happy day draws nigher, 

Bringing me my sweet reward : 

Excelsior. 



43 



ANGELUS BELLS. 



At dawn of morn, 
When rosy hue 
And brilliant dew 

The world adorn, 
Sweet bells resound 
From towers around: 

Ave Maria. 



44 — 



The lovely tune 

Thrills through the air 

So clear and fair 

Again at noon 
Vibrating high 

Up to the sky: 

Ave Maria. 



The day is spent, 
A last salute 
Steals o'er the mute, 

Enchanted bent 
Of hills and mounds 
In dormant sounds: 

Ave Maria. 



— 45 — 



The sweet accord 

Recalls to mind 
The Angel's word, 

Which to mankind 
Brought joy and grace 
In every place. 

Ave Maria ! 



§09<^5 of tl?^ (|easo95. 



— 49 



SPRING. 



Sweet Spring has come, 
To fill our home 
With every pleasure 
At work and leisure, 
And wraps the night 
In full delight. 



50 — 



Green grows the sod, 
And flowers bud 
Eelow the bushes, 
And 'twixt the brushes 
In fields and plains 
And lonely lanes. 



What fragrancy, 

And joy and glee 

In groves and gardens, 

"Where birds like wardens 

Inspect and sing 

Of lovely Spring ! 



- 51 -- 



LIFE IN SPRING. 



Gentle breezes wake 
Bush and brush and brake 
From then* sullen slumber 
And the various number 
Of wild flowers and herbs 
In their charming garbs. 



52 



From the tops of trees 
Gay birds sing their piece 
At the dawn of morning 
For the sleepers' warning, 
That their time at last 
For repose has passed. 



What displays of life, 
Throng with toil and strife ! 
Everyone seems busy; 
Who could take it easy, 
When all, young and old, 
Their good will unfold. 



53 — 



Could we ever see 
Nature's destiny 
In more glorious splendor? 
Leas and fields engender 
Charm and joy and hope 
In a heavy crop. 



— 54 — 



AUTUMN. 



The flowers are gone, the groves stand 
bare 
Of all their foliage, all their charms; 
Whole nature mourns in deep despair. 
Cold glides the wind o'er fields and farms. 



Where are the birds that sang so gay 

On hedges and on lofty trees 
At morn and eve their merry lay, 

When crickets vied with humming bees? 



55 — 



No verdure fascinates the eye, 
No fragrance recreates the breast, 

Clouds, full of gloom, beset the sky 
And lull the earth to sleep and rest. 



Such is the fate of all the fame 
And glory of the fleeting time, 

It seems to be a pleasant game. 
To vanish like the evening chime. 



56 



FALL. 



By degrees the leaves fall off 

From the trees, 
And the days grow short and rough 

By degrees. 
Thus my life resembles 
Autumn. Ah! it humbles 
Thus to see, how one by one 
All our days will soon be gone. 



— 57 



THOUGHTS IN AUTUMN. 



Is it a dream or is it true, 

That I have seen the charms of nature? 
Did I enjoy the pleasant view 

Or did my fancy stamp the feature ? 



My ear rings from the thrilling lays, 
My eye rests yet on flowery meadows, 

On crystal lakes and golden rays, 
On hills and trees and murky shadows. 



58 



I smell the scent of fragrant flowers, 
And all the garden's balmy treasure; 

My heart recalls the happy hours, 

Which I have spent in cheer and 
pleasure. 



But now, alas ! the dreary sky 

Repeats to me the chilling message, 

That all the days of joy went by 
And left no vestige of their passage. 



In place of songs I hear the wind. 
With crowns of trees in mournful bustle . 

How sullen feels the pensive mind, 
When leaves from brush and bushes 
rustle ! 



59 



The world may seem a paradise 

And in her season thrive and flourish; 

One day suffices for surprise, 

To see all growth to die and perish. 



Death is the fine of Adam's fall, 
Which nature by its fruit induced, 

Now death must on each creature call, 
Because it was by sin infused. 



60 — 



WINTER'S NIGHT. 



Clear and bright 

Shines the night; 

Countless stars proclaim the grandeur 

Of the heavens' refulgent splendor. 



Snow-beds shield 

Plain and field 

From the drift of chilly breezes, 

When the frost in frizzles freezes. 



— 61 



Life is gone, 

Naught is done 

Any where by any creature, 

To enliven wretched nature. 



is(;ella9eou5 poe/T)8. 



— 65 - 



CANZONE. 



1864. 



Annoy me not with idle talk and folly, 
Unworthy of a sound, immortal being! 
Our life is short and various obligations 
Demand our time for due improvements. 

Seeing 
The bustle of the world, who would not 

wholly 



66 



Devote himself to wholesome occupations, 
To sanction his relations 
To such affairs of welfare, as a member 
Of mankind ? Energy and perseverance 
Restrain antipathy and deep inherence 
Of sloth, plant self-esteem and stamp the 

temper, 
And ah ! what heartfelt jo}^, what satis- 
faction 
Rewards us for each task and noble action ! 



— 67 — 



PADDLE YOUR OWN CANOE, 



Be circumspect and clever, 
In what you say or do, 

And never tarry, never, 
To paddle your own canoe. 



Love and respect your neighbor, 

If he is kind to you 
And helps you at your labor, 
But paddle your own canoe. 



— 68 



In all your want and yearning, 
You'll find it to be true, 

It takes but little learning 
To paddle your own canoe. 



— 69 — 



0, TELL ME! 



O, tell me, why through human heart 
So many hopes and wishes dart ! 

Is it, to keep our zeal alive ? 
Or idle phantoms to contrive ? 



Ah ! from his birth to his demise 
Man finds this world, to his surprise, 

The home of trouble and distress, 
And longs for peace and happiness. 



— 70 — 



Life is a warfare, hard and drear; 

No flag of truce will cheer us here; 
We have to fight and stand the blast, 

Until our soul from earth has passed. 



71 



THE BIBLE. 



What piles of works the world has seen, 

Since man began to write! 
What mixture ! what a mass to screen, 

To find in it delight ! 



There is a Book, full of advice, 

Of wisdom and of lore, 
It charms the heart with its sweet spice 

And ope's to faith the door. 



— 72 



No human mind contrived the truth, 

So sacred and sublime; 
The Lord revealed his will to soothe 

Our heart, to guard from crime. 



— 73 — 



IN THE SWEAT OF THY FACE. 



"In the sweat of thy face 
Shalt thou eat bread." 

Is work a disgrace, 
When God has thus said ? 

Toil fosters the health, 

The sedulous fain 
Accumulate wealth, 

When idlers complain. 



— 74 



For comfort and cheer 
No day is amiss; 

Oh ! every year 
Enhances^the bliss. 



The blessings of God 
Encourage the brave, 

Although they may plod 
For an early grave. 



- 75 



TRIOLET. 



Learn to advance in thy career, 
It is the clue to all success, 
'Though obstacles may interfere, 
Be not alarmed, look for redress, 
Learn to advance in thy career. 
Reverses hap in every sphere. 
Rebuffs may scare, be of good cheer. 
Reflect and master all thy fear, 
It is the clue to all success. 
If thought and toil bring happiness. 



76 — 



The time will come, thy heart to bless, 
When by thy efforts all distress 
And gloom and sorrow disappear. 
Thy life is like a game of chess : 
Learn to advance in thy career, 
It is the clue to all success. 



— 77 



HUMAN MIND. 



Motto : My minde to me a Kingdom is : 

Such perfect joy therein I flnde 
As farre exceeds all earthly blisse 
That God or Nature hath assignde. 

— WILLIAM BYRD. 

I do not pant for pomp or power, 
Nor do I yearn for pelf, I know, 
'Though it like rain on me may shower; 

What do I care for transient show ? 
My only comfort rests on this : 

If there is cheer in human fame, 
I glory in an honest name, 
My mind to me a kingdom is. 



78 



May others sing more warbling lays, 

I fain extol the wondrous store 
Of grand conceptions and displays 

Of skill and wtII and taste and lore, 
And watch th' emotions of the blind, 

When the}'' disclose their inner light 
In thoughts so clear and w^ords so 
bright ; 
Such perfect joy therein I find. 



Whatever here my lot may be 

I'll find my way through storm and 
night, 
No malice or adversity 

Can mar my mirth nor blast my right. 



79 — 



If providence for aye decrees, 

To keep my mind all hale and sound; 

Such cheery powers therein abound 
As far exceeds all earthly bliss. 



In all I do my aim shall be 

To work in concert with the best 
Of all the human family, 

Until I take my final rest. 
Where will and vigor work combined, 
No task is hard, no effort vain. 
The end of place and charge to gain 
That God or Nature has assigned. 



80 — 



HELP YOURSELF. 



Help yourself to what you please, 
If the owner gives you leave; 

Kmdness sets your heart at ease. 
And indulgence brings relief. 



Help yourself ! The word is hard 
In your battle with this world, 

If you must be on your guard, 
To repel the missels hurled. 



•— 81 



Help yourself! Can you expect 
Of your friends to guide your life, 

And your blunders to correct, 

If you're loath to sense and strife ? 



Help yourself! Is there a man. 
Who could better than yourself 

Know your skill and tact to plan 
Means and ways for fame and pelf? 



Help yourself ! Your weal and woe 

Implicate your energy; 
Dullness is your bitter foe, 

Fortitude your victory. 



— 82 — 



Help yourself! and God will help, 
Lest you might from pains recoil. 

Well may sluggards growl and yelp, 
Comfort is the fruit of toil. 



— 88 



ADVICE. 



Behold the solemn firmament 

By day and night, 
Review the world from end to end 
In all its pride, 

And learn the writ, 
Which God in it 
For thee has hid. 



84 — 



MAN'S CURE. 



There must be sad mishaps 
And misty days of trials, 
For bitter cups and vials 

Restore life's vital saps. 



— 85 



WHAT RESEMBLES THE REWARD. 



What resembles the reward 

Which we reap from thought and toil, 
While our duties we regard 

And at art and fraud recoil ? 



No remorse will, no reproach, 

Steal from us our peace and cheer, 

For the sentiments we lodge 
In our hearts dispel all fear. 



86 — 



In the days of storm and fright, 
Playmg with the coward's toys. 

We shall shield our plight and right, 
Facing all the boisterous noise. 

Friends may leave to join our foes 
In their villainous attacks, 

We shall ward aJl stabs and blows. 
Never swerving from our tracks. 

Trust in God. and energy 

Bless our efforts with success, 

And our active piety 

Ends in bliss and happiness. 



— 87 — 



WHAT IS MAN? 



What is man that he confide 

In the morrow ? 
Ah ! how hopes and haps collide 

To his sorrow ! 



Build your castles in the air, 

But remember, 
That your chance the fate will share 

Of December ! 



88 



Boast not of your strength and health ! 

Neither cherish 
Fondly comfort, fame and wealth ! 

All will perish. 



— 89 — 



MY WISH. 



I love to sing my lay as long 

As in my breast my heart beats warm ; 

There is such pleasure, there's such 
charm 
In music and in sacred song. 



I feel so merry, a pleasant mood 
Enthrals my quiet, wondering mind, 
How thoughts from it in verses wind 

As from the heart in veins the blood. 



90 — 



AT LAST. 



When malice and affliction 
My hopes and prospects blast, 

I know my dereliction 

Will move the Lord at last. 



This life is full of trouble, 
Li which our lot is cast, 

But after all is bubble 

We'll sleep in peace at last. 



— 91 — 



Time wanders without ceasing, 
We grow in age so fast, 

And all the yearfe increasing 
Leads to the grave at last. 



92 



DANGERS OF THE WORLD. 

In this world full of delusion 
Many souls get in confusion 
Between wrong and right. 
Since they fondle their dear passions, 
Thinking of decoying fashions 
More than of their plight. 



— 93 — 



HOME. 



There is a love for home 
In every human breast, 
Where we in peace and rest 

Welcome the days to come. 



Wherever we may roam 

On lakes and seas and lands, 
Our restless heart demands 

Somewhere a spot for home. 



— 94 



Behold a hut of loam 

And hear the inmates joy ! 
There's nothing to annoy, 

Because it is their home. 

May hostile nations foam 

And scold and scare and chase^ 
We'll shield and cheer the place, 

Where we have made a home. 



Why does the azure dome 
Inspire us with delight ? 
Beyond there shines so bright 

Our everlasting home. 



95 — 



DEAR IS THE SOIL. 



Dear is the soil, where first the light 
Of heaven on us did mildly shine. 

And all the dreams of youth so bright 
Made of our mind a precious shrine ; 

The joy and praise 

Of early days 

Time don't from memory efface. 



— 96 — 



We saw the charm of ardent love ; 

We felt the sweets of fervent prayer ; 
Our soul proved simple as a dove ; 

What burden had our heart to bear ? 
We knew no care 
And seemed to fare 
In all the bliss that heaven could spare. 



Our life abounded in displays 

Of sports with comrades true and gay ; 
We listened to the thrilling lays 

Of birds, and mused at their array ; 
In merriment 
Our days we spent 
At work, at leisure, where we went. 



97 



With pleasure we recall to mind 

The happy years, when we with pride 

To learning and to lore inclined, 
To school in great ambition hied ; 

For, in our zeal, 

We thought our weal 

Depended quite on book and quill. 



Prepared for life's benighted road. 
We learned to earn our honest bread 

In steady hope and trust in God, 
That we may ne'er have harm to dread. 

We slept full sound 

On bed or ground, 

Where after labor we were found. 



98 



The world so wide, the world so far 
Invited us to try our chance ; 

A distant land shone like a star, 
Our luck and welfare to enhance. 

We hardly knew, 

How to pursue 

Our course, yet bid our friends adieu. 



Who will regret his pluck, and scorn, 
That he has crossed the stormy sea ? 

Must we then die, where^we were born ? 
The grave is sure, where we shall be. 

The star-lit dome 

Will bless our home, 

'Though we have but a crust or crumb. 



99 



O glorious country, where the poor 
Find shelter, peace and liberty ! 

what attractions, to allure 
The wistfalmind, encompass thee ! 

On sea and lake 

Thy vessels rake, 

To keep thy trade and fame awake. 



What bays abound in oyster beds ? 

Which rivers swarm with richer fish ? 
What light on thee the prairie sheds 

By all its game, to change the dish ? 
What mountains hold 
Such mass of gold 
And coal and metal for the mould ? 



100 



blessed people ! — Who can sing 
The nation's wealth in all its charms ? 

How proudly to the soil we cling, 
That saves our heart from all alarms ! 

No caste nor guild 

Can raise the shield, 

To chase us from our common field. 



Free as the fishes in the lake, 
What may we fear in our pursuits ? 

He who in season keeps awake. 

Reaps his rewards without disputes. 

Luck never smiles 

On him who whiles 

His time away on airy isles. 



101 — 



God bless the land, so rich and fair, 
The sweet home of the good and brave ! 

O may she prosper, may she bear 

Fresh laurels ! May her banner wave 

On every coast, • 

As friendly host, 

Of freedom and of might to boast ! 



102 — 



GOD BLESS THE COUNTRY. 



God bless the country, where in peace 
And harmony the people rule, 
And justice brands and dungeons cool 

The riotous by sound decrees ! 



God bless the country, where true love 
Unites the hearts and cheers our life, 
Where talents, trade and traffic thrive 

And busy hands all grief remove ! 



— 103 



God bless the country, where we found 
A pleasant home and generous friends ! 
0, may it prosper, till time ends, 

And in its days in peace abound ! 



104 — 



SONG. 



We glory in our liberty, 
Regained from unjust tyranny 

In days of yore. 
We know the price, the pledge and toil, 
When the fierce battles' heat the soil 

Imbrued with gore. 



— 105 



Will natives, will those bound by oath, 
In their pursuits of life be loath 

To guard their home ? 
Will they not scorn all reprobates, 
And for their welfare shut the gates 

Against all slum ? 



Let this for aye be our parole — 
To welcome every loyal soul ; 

But never more 
By vagrants to be kept at bay ; 
Let all intruders henceforth stay 

Far from our shore. 



— toe 



A GOOD WORD. 



A good Avord, said in season, 
Will rarely be forgot ; 

It's wiser far to reason 
Than to contest and plot. 

Forgiveness and compassion 
Produce far sweeter fruits 

Than the unhallowed fashion 
Of duels and of suits. 



— 107 — 



DELUSiaN. 



Man, in his folly, yearns for fame, 
And worries to achieve a name ; 
But having cut the Gordian knot. 
He leaves the world and is forgot. 



108 



WHAT IS HOME WITHOUT A 
MOTHER ? 



What is home without a mother, 
In this world of toil and care, 

Where ill-luck and troubles bother, 
And our happiness impair ? 

There is order, there is pleasure, 
Where a mother rules the house ; 

All her aims, at work and leisure. 
Proves the zeal which she avows. 



— 109 — 



Neat and nice are her apparels, 
Clean and cute her peaceful home ; 

Cheerful children sing their carols, 
Full of hope for years to come. 



In the morning, in the evening 

She kneels down with them to pray ; 

In her warning, in her reasoning 
All her words God's words convey. 



'Though she be in learning lacking, 
Oh ! a mother's heart is sweet ; 

Who will ever see her backing 
Discontent and foul deceit ? 



no 



How she bears the awful pressure 
Of the duties to be done ! 

'How she worries beyond measure, 
Day and night, to save her own ! 



She may of her tactics rue some. 

And regret the hasty rod, 
When the child clings to her bosom. 

Ah ! the child ! her flesh and blood. 



When proclivities engender 
Evil habits, fraught with harm, 

What else but a heart most tender 
Can correct without alarm ? 



Ill 



What a loss to lose a mother, 
Generous, honest and devout ! 

Never, never can another 

Fill the place and bear her out. 



— 112 



WHAT IS HOME WITHOUT A 
FATHER ? 



What is home without a father 
In this world of woes and wants, 

Where dark clouds around us gather, 
Ere we know their gloomy haunts. 

Disobedience and disorder 
Reign where once a heart so kind 

Knew to rule and yet to further 
Cheerfulness and pluck of mind. 



— 113 — 



Home is pleasant where a father, 

Honest, sober and devout, 
Steers the household, and would rather 

Die than rove and lounge about. 

In his efforts, his achievements, 

Sparkles his paternal care 
To provide for sad bereavements 

And the days so drear and bare. 



114 



THE BABY. 



What is home without a baby ? 

I hear often people say ; 
What it means, a bachelor, maybe, 

Is unfit the gist to weigh. 



Parents, certainly, appreciate 

Their dear offspring from their heart 
But I never could initiate 

In]the nursing on my part. 



115 — 



O, this sobbing, O, this squalling, 
And this shrieking day and night ! 

Is it not for man appalling, 

And for maidens shocking fright ? 

I enjoy the smiles and tattling, 
But the serenades and such 

Lowing as that of a fatling, 
I did never fancy much. 



— 116 



NEW YEAR. 



New Year has come ; 

Fresh hope and glee 
Fill heart and home, 

Where'er we be. 



All grief is gone ; 

We look with cheer 
At battles won 

In our career. 



117 



New zeal aspires 
To noble deeds, 

Which love admires 
And prudence heeds. 

« 

Mistakes we made 
In days gone by 

"We shall evade 
And rectify. 

may our time 

In all its spells 
Be like the chime 

Of festive bells ! 



118 — 



THOUGHT. 



O, tell me, what is thought 
Which penetrates the heart ? 

Is it at random caught ? 

Where does it spring ? whence start ? 



Like lightning it pervades 
In trials human breast, 

And in its palmy shades 
All sorrow goes to rest. 



119 — 



What joy and happiness 
A single news may bring, 

A dream, discourse, address, 
A hymn, so sweet to sing ! 



Thoughts are the soul's true friends. 

They are her bitter foes ; 
On them her peace depends, 

They are the cause of woes. 



They are the origin 
Of the sad avalanche 

Of wickedness and sin 
In every form and branch. 



— 120 — 



Eternity bewails 

The victims of ill-thought. 
Beware of all its trails, 

Until the fight is fought. 



— 121 



OFFICE SEEKERS. 



What contest for a bite to eat, 
For office, spoils and fame, 

When friends like foes in battle meet, 
To win their aim or claim ! 



They have no rest nor day nor night. 
Their mind contrives new plans 

For victory o'er wrong or right 
Of their opponent clans. 



— 122 — 



There is no trick, no cunning plea, 

No art to justify 
The means and schemes and bribery, 

Which they disdain to try. 



Alas ! how bitter tastes the fruit ! 

What tears in vain are shed. 
When all affections, which imbued 

The heart with love, have fled ! 



What injury to lose a friend, 

Whoever he may be ! 
It's felt more keenly in the end. 

Than all indemnity. 



— 123 



Success turns into sore defeat, 
And gain unveils the fraud ; 

The time has passed, but all deceit 
Remains henceforth abroad. 



124 — 



WHAT DO WE CARE? 



What do we care for by-gone days ! 

Each age provides for its own wants, 
'Though on the past we heap all praise, 

There's nothing which the present 
daunts. 

Times change by issues, heroes die, 
And yet the world moves safely on. 

Let come what may, it will pass by. 
And what is urgent will be done. 



— 125 — 



STUBBORN FACTS. 



Thoughts come and go, 
And words disperse ; 

All worldly show 
Commutes its course. 

But facts stand firm. 

Whoever heeds 
Them, lays the germ 

To noble deeds. 



— 126 — 



HUMAN LIFE. 

Life is but a journey 
To our final home ; 
'Though the path be thorny, 
We must overcome 

All our passions, fraught 
With this worldly naught. 

Why should we in sorrow 
Spend our hasty days ? 
Ah ! perhaps the morrow 
Finishes our race. 

Faith and virtue guard 
Our divine reward. 



— 127 — 



SIMILITUDE. 



I heard the ticking of a clock 

At night ; 
The only noise which seemed to rock 

The tide. 



At once it stopped, and stillness took 

The lead, 
And all appeared to be a book 

To read. 



128 — 



My heart grew sad ; for may it not 

Once, too, 
So rashly stop, and I my lot 

Then rue? 



129 



BEWARE. 



Beware of all attempts of men 

Who teach more than they ever learn ; 
What is above their reach and ken. 

The wistful mind will scorn and spurn 



Truth glares in proofs and arguments 
Diffusing from their parent sun, 

No laurels will be ever won, 
Where lore to unbelief assents. 



— 130 



HONESTY. 



Be fair in all your dealings 
And scorn all tricks in trade ; 

Where fraud creates ill-feelings, 
All trust and prospects fade. 



There is on earth no treasure. 
To reach the honest name, 

It causes far more pleasure, 

Than luck and wealth and fame. 



— 131 



ADVICE. 



Mock not the poor ! The day may come 

For you to beg for bread ; 
Mishaps destroy oft' hopes and home, 

While man sleeps somid in bed. 



Despise not the "unfortunate ; 

The lame, the deaf, the blind ! 
Is there no cause for your regret ? 

No threat or cloud to mind ? 



— 132 — 



Assist the needy, comfort all 
Who look to you for help ! 

But if you're loth to meet the call, 
Dare not to growl and yelp ! 



— 133 — 



FRIENDSHIP. 



We live with Mends in peace, 
'Though we may sometimes tease 

And play them harmless tricks, 
For they will in return 

In restless humor burn, 
To get with us up sticks. 



— 134 



What fibs they may contrive, 
There is no harm for life 

In all their pleasantness ; 
Time passes gently by, 

No tear bedews their eye, 
For love reveals its stress. 



135 



GHASEL. 



This world abounds in glittering vanity: 

Pomp, sport, and sprees evoke inanity. 

May crown and crosier ravish with delight, 

What good derives from fame humanity ? 

Pride longs for glor}^, avarice loves wealth. 

And insolence derides urbanity. 

Vain science leads in murky, lurking lore 

To silly topics and profanity. 

All beauty fades, and brilliancy of mind 

Eclipses sadly in insanity. 



— 136 



TEARS. 



Natural tears betray no badness, 

They're to man a God-sent dew : 
0. how thus from grief and madness 

Strangely peace and calm accrue ! 
What relief they yield to sadness ! 

Heart and soul feel fresh and new. 
I admire the tears of gladness, 

Ever merry, ever true. 



137 — 



YOUTH. 



To squander in folly the wonderful days, 
When youth all its charms and enchant- 
ment displays, 
Call never enjoyment, no, call it disgrace. 



The spring of the year is the season to sow; 
What seed-corn is hid in the furrows 

below, 
Will sprout, and in time to maturity grow. 



— 138 



SCENERY AT BLOOMINGTON, 
ILLINOIS. 

1880. 



A sweet delight 
Charms me at night, 
When on the hill, 
So calm and still, 
I view the city, 
En wrapt in gloom, 
Now stern, now giddy, 
Yet drear as doom. 



— 139 — 



How strange ! 
What change ! 
Lo ! in the morning 
It seemed to be 
A grove, adorning 
For pleasantry 
The yonder slope 
With villas peeping 
Through foliage up 
And houses creeping 
The streets along, 
And farther up 
Right on the top 
Amidst the throng 
The court-house stood 
In pensive mood. 



— 140 



How soon the sight 
Has vanished away 
And dreary night. 
Now in its sway, 
Spread out the shroud 
Of one dense cloud. 



Before my eyes 
A mountain lies, 
Dark and obscure, 
Ascending high 
Up to the sky ; 
The only lure 
Of pleasant light 
The lamp-posts yield, 
Strewn round about, 



141 



As in the field 
Sweet flowers sprout. 
Thus, as by spell, 
The gas-lights cluster 
About the lustre 
Of stars pell-mell. 



'alladg. ^- 



— 145 — 



JOHN HOWARD PAYNE. 

On Christmas eve a stranger strolled 
Through London, while the wind blew 

cold ; 
Devoid of means, where could he spend 
The dreary night ? where find a friend? 

Revolving in his sullen mind. 
How strangely fate deals with mankind, 
He tried the causes to contrast, 
Why the rich may feast whilst the poor 
must fast. 



146 — 



While sauntering on, his eyes perceived 
A Christmas-tree, as he believed. 
In a stately mansion, bright and fair, 
In verdure hue and starry glare. 



He heard the joy, he saw the charm. 
His heart beat in his bosom warm, 
When strains of music reached his ear. 
And words so sweet in sounds so clear : 



*'Mid pleasures and palaces though we 

may roam, 
Be it ever so humble there's no place like 

home ! 



147 — 



A charm from the skies seems to hallow 

us here ! 
Which, seek through the world, is ne'er 
met with elsewhere. 
Home ! home ! sweet, sweet home ! 
There's no place like home ! 

"An exile from home, splendor dazzles in 

vain! 
0, give me my lowly thatched cottage 

again ! 
The birds singing gayly that came at my 

call ; — 
Give me them ! and the peace of mind 

dearer than all ! 
Home ! home ! sweet, sweet home ! 
There's no place like home ! " 



148 



He stayed his walk, he felt so glad, 
And yet his heart grew cold and sad ; 
Alas ! the bard of " Home, sweet Home ! " 
Stood friendless there, and had no home. 



— 149 



KATE SHELLY. 

Near sunset in their gloomy hue 

The heavens portrayed a dreadful view ; 

Through dismal clouds the lightning 

flashed, 
While thunder-claps through nature 

crashed. 



In piercing shrieks the tempest swept 
O'er land and lawn, o'er hill and depth,, 
Destroying on its mournful course 
Trees, barns and fences by its force. 



150 



In heavy streams the rain poured down, 
And Honey Creek perceived with frown 
How rashly to her quiet bed 
In floods the struggling waters sped. 



They heaved and shook in rapid course 
The trestle-bridge with raging force. 
Ah ! who was there the crush to heed, 
As the freight train came along in speed. 



On, on she rolled in her ascent, 
Headlong into the deep she went ; 
A crash, a splash, and all w^as o'er, 
For track and train were seen no more. 



— 151 



Kate Shelly saw the dazzling light 
Dwindle away in the dismal night, 
And faintly heard with the fading flash 
Through all the storm the fearful crash. 



No love for mother nor for home, 
No fear or fright of instant doom 
Could keep her from the task she sought 
To search the fate the wreck had brought. 



She tied her rain-cloak 'round her waist 
And lit her lantern, and in haste 
She hurried to the spot of grief 
With aching heart for quick relief. 



152 



But ah ! where should the dauntless lass 
Pind through the dark a way to pass ? 
There was no land, there was a slough, 
Whichever course she could pursue.. 



What shall she do ? her steps retrace 
And from the danger turn her face ? 
The coward may from hazard turn, 
The hrave alone will praises earn. 



A moment there ^«he wistful spied. 
And swiftly to th' embankment hied ; 
Though steep and rough to her it seemed, 
Of going back she never dreamed. 



— 153 



On, on she climbed without despair 
O'er pointed rocks without a care 
For bleeding hands and bruised knees, 
As on she pushed, her hold to seize. 



The track once won, she braved the gale, 
A heroine, so young and frail ; 
Onward she pressed upon the ridge 
With iron will, to reach the bridge. 



One part stood still all firm and straight, 
The rest had fallen with the freight, 
And terror filled the horrid gap. 
As dreary night concealed the trap. 



— 154 



Fearless she crawled upon the track 
Along the rails to reach the wreck, 
Bent over, swung the light and cried 
*^ Is there yet life above the tide ? " 



One man survived the catastrophe, 
The answer came, " there's hope for me 
To stand the risk ; go, try to save 
The passenger from a watery grave ! " 



And back she crept her weary way. 
Combating with the tempest's sway. 
But ah ! there now ! shall she desist ? 
What will her friends say when she's 
missed ? 



— 155 — 



Five hundred feet of trestle-work ! 
On every side new dangers lurk. 
What ! if fatigue and dread at length 
On the Des Moines impair her strength. 



Naught could restrain her— on she drew 
Indifferent to her task in view, 
Although the gust turned her aside 
To sweep her with the roaring tide. 



Conclusively she flung her arm 
Around a beam without alarm, 
Whilst from her hand the lantern fell, 
As on she went her tale to tell. 



156 — 



Up to the station her steps she bent 
To state the doleful accident ; 
And when she'd done and knew no more, 
She swooned, and reeled, and struck the 
floor. 



Now some made haste to bring relief. 
And some to save the train from grief ; 
Onward they rushed and swung their 

lamp, 
As on she came through gale and damp. 



The shrill sound of the whistle told 
The signals sight, as on she rolled 
Abating in her hasty speed. 
The warning of her risk to heed. 



— 157 



Now ne'er was heard at the station yet 
More cheer and joy, more sad regret ; 
In crowds they thronged into the room, 
To greet the saviour of their doom. 



In silent awe, with bated breath, 
They watched her, fearful of her death, 
As on her couch she felt the strain 
For one so young in every vein. 



In gratitude they all agreed 
In recognition of her deed, 
To leave a purse for her reward 
As token of their high regard. 



158 — 



Her praise went forth from mouth to 

mouth,- 
From East to West, from North to South ; 
And may it sound through times to come 
To every clime, to every home. 



•^©aFHpiipa £atma.^. 



— 161 



EEVERENDISSIMO JOSEPHO MELCHER, 

Vicario General! Sancti Ludovici, primo prsesidi Soda- 
litatis sacerdotum dedicatum Anno Domini 1863« 

Crux. 



Salvatoris dulce signum, 

Quod jam mundum redemisti, 
Vere preciosum lignum, 

Quid solatii dedisti ! 



162 



In te salus sola restat, 
Per te auxilium paratur ; 

Quodvis onus quisquam gestat, 
Tuo adspectu mitigatur. 



Via coeli, stella lucis, 

Quam sodalis contemplatur, 
Si nos tu per mundum ducis, 

Pace vita recreatur. 



— 163 



ORATIO 



Pro Unione Societatum Germanarum. 



1865. 



O, Virgo potens, Mater Salvatoris, 
Quae diligis, qui vera fide gaudent, 
Due viros, qui instaurare impavidi 
audent, 

Quidquid cor poscat, plenum pii amoris ! 



164 



Jam lucet in amictu verni floris 
Ecclesia ; sed ut fideles laudent, 
Qua vi malignum spiritum defraudent, 

Infunde gratiam operse laboris. 



Durum est, tot desideria condire 
Applausa, quum penuria sancire 
Recuset, quod cor optat valde inire. 



Succurre, Mater, bonse voluntati, 
Ut pari studio jam penetrati 
Persolvant, quid possint desiderati ! 



— 165 



Ad 

Notum mihi qiiendam. 

MISERICORDIA. 

Misericordia 
Benigni Dei 
Est confidentia 
Moerentis rei : 
Dat peccatori 
Spem venise, 
Si lacrimse 
Prosunt amori. 



— 166 — 



Quid prodest tarditas 
Conversionis, 
Quum mortis dirum fas 
Impendat bonis 
Et malis jugiter ! 
Proinde amove 
Onus et fove 
Mentem celeriter ! 



— 167 



AD POETAM LOCUPLETEM. 



Felix poeta, 
Cujus moneta 
Arcet a fame ! 
Laurel rami 
Ventri non placent, 
Viscera nunqnam 
In eo tacent. 



168 



PRIMO DIE ANN! 1882. 

Vale, anne vetus ! 
Optima spe fretus, 
Unusquisque exclamat — 
Verbum cor inflammat : — 
Ave, pulcher juvenis, 
Adhuc plane 
Salve, sane, 
Ave, Ave bis, 
Anne nove ! 
Fave, fove 
Nos quotidie, 
Donee nostra spe 
Coelum nobis annuet ! 



— 169 



NOTrKS. 



HOWARD PAYNE. 



The Lady's Bazaar, Vol. 5, No. 3, page 231, 1881. 

^o song in tlie English language has been so 
popular or so widely known as Howard Payne's 
"Home, Sweet Home." It is one of those 
perennial metrical compositions that cannot die, 
for it addresses itself at once to the heart, even 
more so than to the imagination. And yet the 
man who wrote the immortal words had no 
home— no place he could say was his own — no 
hearth to comfort his body in his declining 
years. It is said of the author that, wandering 
penniless and unljnown through the streets of 
London, one cold night in January (?), he hap- 
pened near a splendid palace which was bril- 
liantly illuminated. He stood and watched the 



170 



mausion. Toward miduight, he heard, accom- 
panied by instrumental music, a magnificent 
voice singing his own melody. For the time he 
was transported out of his misery. It was, 
indeed, some compensation to hear, under such 
peculiar circumstances, his undying song. 
Payne wrote many melodies, but the only one 
that has survived him is, "Home, Sweet Home." 
Upon it his reputation as a poet rests. The 
government at Washington, probably, in ac- 
knowledgment of his gift as a poet, appointed 
him to the consulate at Algiers, which he held 
many years. The income derived from it was 
quite limited, but it sufficed him. He died some 
years ago, in Baltimore, ('^) we believe; but not 
until his death was he remembered by the world, 
which, when too late, as is the rule, deigned to 
recognize his merits. 



KATE SHELLY. 

Clipped from a paper 1887. 

An eastern paper says that Kate Shelly, the 
young girl who a couple of years ago saved a 
passenger train from destruction at a wrecked 
railroad bridge near Honey Creek, Iowa, is now 
visiting the east for the first time. Miss Shelly 
wears a massive gold medal, the gift of the 
Iowa state legislature, and enjoys, despite the 
inter-state commerce commission, a life pass on 
any railroad in the land. 



EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS 

0^4 T^E pit^ST EDITIO^«i. 

I read your poems with pleasure and wish to 
express my satisfaction at seeing you so laud- 
ably employ your leisure moments. 

t Peteb Richard Kenrick. 

Archb. of St. Louis - 



I am much pleased with the poems. 

t Q. J. Ryan, Archb. of Philadelphia. 

In the poems I have found many very beauti- 
ful passages. I must say that I like the latirt 
hymns best of all. 

GUSTAV KOERNER, 

Ex-Governor of Illinois. 

I have just received your book of beautiful 
poems and have read each poem with the 
greatest of interest. The piece you have 
written for me is very fine. I have numbers of 
pieces of poetry written about me, but none of 
them is as good as the piece you have written. 

Kate Shelly. 



Please accept my hearty congratulations ort 
your pronounced success as a poet of the higher 
order, whose mission it is to instruct as well as; 
to entertain, and whose elfforts are not solely di- 
rected to the mere jingling of rhymes. 

D. W. Smyth. 



I have occasionally had the honor to see and 
admire something from your pen, and it is ver^ 
gratifying to possess so large a portion of your 
work. L. May Heberling, 

the gifted poetess of Havana, in. 



<€ Index. ^- 



INDEX. 



The Realms of SoBg. 5 

Christmas Hymn, 1 11 

Christmas Hymn, II IS 

Thanksgiving 15 

Prayer 17 

Before Communion 19 

Prayer in Winter 21 

Love of God 23 

Hymn A 25 

To the B. V. Mary 27 

Hymn to the B. V. Mary 28 

The Holy Family 30 

Cradle Song, 1 33 

Cradle Song, II 36 

Cradle Song, III 39 

Excelsior 41 

Angelus Bells 43 

Spring 49 

Life in Spring 51 

Autumn 54 

Fall 56 

Thoughts in Autumn 57 

Winter's Night 60 

Canzone •••• 65 

Paddle Your Own Canoe 67 

O, Tell Me 69 

The Bible 71 

In the Sweat 73 

Triolet 75 

Human Mind 77 



Hel^ Yourself 80 

Advice 83 

Man's Cure 84 

What Resembles 85 

What is Man 87 

My Wish 89 

At Last 90 

Dangers of the World 92 

Home 93 

Dear is the Soil 95 

God Bless the Country 102 

Song 104 

A Good Word 106 

Delusion 107 

What is Home Without a Mother? 108 

What is Home Without a Father? 112 

What is Home Without a Baby? 114 

New Year 116 

Thought 118 

Office Seekers 121 

What Do We Care? 124 

Stubborn Facts 125 

Humhn Life 126 

Similitude 127 

Beware 129 

Honesty 130 

Advice 131 

Friendship. 133 

Ghasel 135 

Tears 136 

Youth 137 

Scenery 138 

Howard Payne.. Ht 

Kate Shelly 149 

Crux 161 

Oratio 163 

Misericordia 165 

Ad Poetam 167 

Primo Die 168 

Notes 169 

Extracts from Letters. 



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